God's Ways

I love the way God provided for the Israelites when they were in Egypt. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) had been there 400 years. I imagine that they had a rather dismal view of life which consisted mainly of working and being beaten. Yet, through their captivity, through their slavery, God was at work. He had a plan. He saw the big picture. He knew more than just their daily struggle. He knew that they had no hope apart from Him.

In God's timing, not the Israelites, God raised up Moses. God brought Moses before Pharaoh. The people may have been full of despair; I would have been and it wouldn't have taken 400 years to get to that point either.

God began performing his works before all of Egypt. Moses, in his own strength, was inadequate. Israel was certainly in no position to rebel against the most powerful nation on earth. And yet, God reigns supreme. He does not ask anyone's permission to act. He does not require anyone else's strength. He is the Creator God. The God Most High.

God sent Moses to Pharaoh to deliver God's message. Moses went time and time again. God acted each time to put His works on display for the entire world. Pharaoh resisted. God hardened his heart. Pharaoh resisted some more. It's not easy for the leader of the civilized world to be beaten into submission. But this conflict, and it's lessons are still being talked about today. God referred to this time throughout the Bible as a testimony to His power and might as well as to His plan and care for Israel and His plan of salvation.

God not only crushed Egypt. He freed Israel. In addition, He gave a beautiful picture of Jesus' sacrifice and atonement for our sins. Israel's whole culture was founded on Jesus.

We can rest in God completely. Our circumstances do not tell the whole story. Only God can do that.

Just wrapped up a big adventure with two of my boys, my sister's family and my parents. We said goodbye to mountains and loved ones, packed and loaded 32 years (or more) of stuff, and drove a thousand miles (give or take). We arrived, met other loved ones, ate too much a couple of times, unloaded all that stuff, only broke some of it, and managed to play a bunch too. I'm all worn out! I think most of us are.

There were physical demands from lifting and travelling. There were emotional strains from uprooting and being uprooted as well as struggling to accomplish a big project with multiple constraints and team members. It's funny how people always seem to get in the way of progress!

The adventure continues, even though most of us are returning to our routines. Hopefully, many memories were made, more good than bad.

Beauty in the sunrise

Isn't it a privilege to watch the sunrise? It happens every day whether we are watching or not. But, when we take a little time to be outside in the cool morning air...to observe the subtle changes in light...to detect the faint chirping as the birds become active...to almost feel the clouds as they float by...it seems as if God allows us a little different connection to Him and His creation.

It is so easy to become entrenched in our daily busyness. Head down, nose to the grind stone, getting it done (whatever that may be). The refreshment from participating in something so simple and yet, so outside of our control is amazing. I cannot impact or influence the sunrise in any way. I cannot buy one to replace the one I missed. I can only affect my ability to observe it. I can choose to be inside or looking the other way (or sleeping).

God's blessings are abundant, often they are simple, sometimes they are fleeting, but they are always just what we need. Look to Him and be satisfied!

Starting Out

This is a humble entrance to the blogosphere. My hope is that in the coming weeks, the ramblings will become more focused, the posts more interesting and therefore more useful.

I have read a few blogs and checked out a couple of the blogging sites. But I can't say that I have done a tremendous amount of research. The blog sites say to start today, right now in fact. Don't worry about a name or focus or purpose; just BLOG. Some serious bloggers seem to take a little more deliberate approach - at least in regards to increasing traffic. Know your readers, stay focused on your purpose, etc. Since I am my only reader perhaps that takes some of the pressure off.

So, I'm not sure what this blog will entail. I have random thoughts bouncing around that need some outlet. I really need to hone my writing. I am a networking consultant, so there may be some technical information (helpful if any of you are insomniacs). Perhaps that all shakes out to a compelling read! It's sounds good, doesn't it?

Let me know what you think, otherwise I may post again...